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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2379 KP) rated Assault and Buttery (A Popcorn Shop Mystery, #3) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Rebecca Anderson’s popcorn shop is under renovation, which is how she finds a mysterious diary in the kitchen’s wall. She is trying to figure out who the writer was when someone dies after eating her popcorn – popcorn that was poisoned. Her attempts to clear her reputation and save her business end with her in prison for impeding a police investigation. What’s going on? Will Rebecca get out of jail?
This book has a unique first half as we get flashbacks to what landed Rebecca in jail. It absolutely works; I was engaged the entire way through and the plot comes together perfectly at the end. There’s some fun humor, although a couple of scenes that were supposed to be funny irritated me. Likewise, I didn’t feel the repercussions of the jail plot twist were adequately dealt with. We didn’t see quite as much of the series regulars, but I did enjoy what we saw. And the new characters were wonderful.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/11/book-review-assault-and-buttery-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This book has a unique first half as we get flashbacks to what landed Rebecca in jail. It absolutely works; I was engaged the entire way through and the plot comes together perfectly at the end. There’s some fun humor, although a couple of scenes that were supposed to be funny irritated me. Likewise, I didn’t feel the repercussions of the jail plot twist were adequately dealt with. We didn’t see quite as much of the series regulars, but I did enjoy what we saw. And the new characters were wonderful.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/11/book-review-assault-and-buttery-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Dana (24 KP) rated The Girl on the Train in Books
Mar 23, 2018
This rating is actually a 2.5 but we still can't do half stars on here, so I rounded up.
So I read this book before I read Gone Girl, but even with that, I was expecting an amazing book full of suspense and plot twists and just general intrigue. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to the potential for me.
I did not like the characters at all. They fell flat for me and were too whiny and clingy for my taste. I especially did not like the main character.I have a feeling there was a point to her being unreliable, probably to show that she most likely knew what happened but couldn't remember, but I just found it annoying. I am not one to judge a character by their actions, like drinking excessively, but this felt a little overdone in this book.
Even the plot twists I kinda saw coming. Like, from the beginning. There wasn't enough suspense for me to really get into the book and enjoy it. By the end, I just wanted to confirm my suspicions.
Overall, it just wasn't my kind of book, I guess.
So I read this book before I read Gone Girl, but even with that, I was expecting an amazing book full of suspense and plot twists and just general intrigue. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to the potential for me.
I did not like the characters at all. They fell flat for me and were too whiny and clingy for my taste. I especially did not like the main character.I have a feeling there was a point to her being unreliable, probably to show that she most likely knew what happened but couldn't remember, but I just found it annoying. I am not one to judge a character by their actions, like drinking excessively, but this felt a little overdone in this book.
Even the plot twists I kinda saw coming. Like, from the beginning. There wasn't enough suspense for me to really get into the book and enjoy it. By the end, I just wanted to confirm my suspicions.
Overall, it just wasn't my kind of book, I guess.
Gail (4 KP) rated Frozen Over in Books
Jun 4, 2018
Frozen Over by Tarrah Anders
Four stars
I was captivated by this story. The loss of control and the need to posse someone. Tyson is a man who knows what he wants and doesn’t hold back because of feelings. He’s into one night stands and wham bam thank you ma'am. He’s an butthole and he doesn’t hide it from those around him. You get 100% honesty and realness. Allison is strong minded and determined. She does beg or cry for attention. She knows her worth and doesn’t settle. When she finally has a career break through she didn’t know it would come with the attention of the CEO. When Tyson first saw her he didn’t know that hell was getting ready to freeze over. I really enjoyed the story. I liked the conversation between the main characters it wasn’t forced or lacking in emotion. You could feel Tyson's struggle with coming to term with his emotions. I really liked that he kept his honesty and didn’t let himself hold back. Great read and I hope there is more to come. This author gave me something new and I hope her writing style only gets better.
Four stars
I was captivated by this story. The loss of control and the need to posse someone. Tyson is a man who knows what he wants and doesn’t hold back because of feelings. He’s into one night stands and wham bam thank you ma'am. He’s an butthole and he doesn’t hide it from those around him. You get 100% honesty and realness. Allison is strong minded and determined. She does beg or cry for attention. She knows her worth and doesn’t settle. When she finally has a career break through she didn’t know it would come with the attention of the CEO. When Tyson first saw her he didn’t know that hell was getting ready to freeze over. I really enjoyed the story. I liked the conversation between the main characters it wasn’t forced or lacking in emotion. You could feel Tyson's struggle with coming to term with his emotions. I really liked that he kept his honesty and didn’t let himself hold back. Great read and I hope there is more to come. This author gave me something new and I hope her writing style only gets better.
ashezbookz (32 KP) rated The Dirty Book Club in Books
Jul 5, 2018
Oh my goddess I loved everything about this book!!!!!!!!!!!! I won this in a goodreads giveaway and I am so happy - I saw the title and immediately knew that I needed to read this book and odds are that I would love it.
It was very character based though I wish it was more alternating POV between the 4 instead of just MJ driven though in the end it makes sense as to why that was the case so no points off for that aspect but I wish I could have got into the other characters heads too not just one.
Being a 32 year old recently married individual - this book was quite entertaining and wowza .. an eye opener for those married a long time/having issues - I just literally reading this book and just squealing out loud or going oh my god!!!! my husband sitting next to me looking at me like I'm crazy, yes, yes I am. I really wish it didn't end and this is a definite re-read for me. I'll be recommending it for everyone - I'm going to lend it to my mom too because, well, I just think she'll like it ha!
It was very character based though I wish it was more alternating POV between the 4 instead of just MJ driven though in the end it makes sense as to why that was the case so no points off for that aspect but I wish I could have got into the other characters heads too not just one.
Being a 32 year old recently married individual - this book was quite entertaining and wowza .. an eye opener for those married a long time/having issues - I just literally reading this book and just squealing out loud or going oh my god!!!! my husband sitting next to me looking at me like I'm crazy, yes, yes I am. I really wish it didn't end and this is a definite re-read for me. I'll be recommending it for everyone - I'm going to lend it to my mom too because, well, I just think she'll like it ha!
Little Ray Of Sunshine (41 KP) rated Tau (2018) in Movies
Jul 4, 2018 (Updated Feb 10, 2019)
Wow amazing film.
Contains spoilers, click to show
Wow this film I saw on Netflix today so I thought why not try it out. I am happy I watched it all. I love Gary Oldman he did the voice of the computer programme Tau.
The main woman Julia as end up in a bad situation where she sleeps with men to steal their belongings to get money to survive and this is where Alex finds her and kidnaps her the reason he kidnaps her is that he needs a person for a project. So he offers Julia a billion pound if she does it for him.
I felt their characters was gonna fall in love (but that's me with my soppy lovey dovey head on lol) but sadly it doesn't end well for Alex because while he goes to work Julia is befriending the computer programme Tau she is doing this so Tau is on her side and she can escape from the building to freedom.
I really loved this film and can't wait to see more what Netflix Originals brings out.
The main woman Julia as end up in a bad situation where she sleeps with men to steal their belongings to get money to survive and this is where Alex finds her and kidnaps her the reason he kidnaps her is that he needs a person for a project. So he offers Julia a billion pound if she does it for him.
I felt their characters was gonna fall in love (but that's me with my soppy lovey dovey head on lol) but sadly it doesn't end well for Alex because while he goes to work Julia is befriending the computer programme Tau she is doing this so Tau is on her side and she can escape from the building to freedom.
I really loved this film and can't wait to see more what Netflix Originals brings out.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Thing (2011) in Movies
Jul 28, 2018
An unnecessary prequel
The problem with most prequels is they feel the need to overexplain things that aren't necessary. A certain amount of ambiguity is good for a film, and often allows the watcher to come up with their own theories. And this is the main problem with this prequel - did we need to know exactly what happened to the Norwegian team? No not really, as we saw enough in the original to use our imagination. So this prequel for me was entirely unnecessary.
It also didn't help that the plot was for the most part very similar to the original, which begs the question why make something so similar? The creature designs etc were very good, creepy and pretty scary and very in keeping with the original, but they completely ruined it with the horrendous cgi. Why they didn't stick with physical effects I'll never know, as it made the creature just look shoddy. The ending is potentially also a bit of a plot hole as it then doesn't tie in to the original.
There are a few things in this that could've been improved, but even with that, it'd still be an unnecessary prequel.
It also didn't help that the plot was for the most part very similar to the original, which begs the question why make something so similar? The creature designs etc were very good, creepy and pretty scary and very in keeping with the original, but they completely ruined it with the horrendous cgi. Why they didn't stick with physical effects I'll never know, as it made the creature just look shoddy. The ending is potentially also a bit of a plot hole as it then doesn't tie in to the original.
There are a few things in this that could've been improved, but even with that, it'd still be an unnecessary prequel.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Hot Fuzz (2007) in Movies
Aug 24, 2018
Hilarious
I've re-watched this again recently and it's just as funny now as it was when I first saw it in the cinema.
It's hilarious, full of wit and British humour. Not only is it a brilliant comedy, it's a great action and mystery flick too. The pairing of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost works as well here as it did in Shaun of the Dead, and there's a great supporting cast in Jim Broadbent, Paddy Considine and the rest, including those blink and you'll miss it cameos.
Whilst I work for a large urban police force, there are a lot of areas of policing I recognise in this film, which for me makes it even funnier watching it back. From having to bring cake (bribes) in for colleagues, to the old school Vauxhall cars, office banter and the more onerous side of policing, they really have done their research. Although I can safely say I've never met an officer quite as dedicated as Angel! But I do reckon a lot of our new recruits have the same view of policing as Danny does...
Such an entertaining film that doesn't get old.
It's hilarious, full of wit and British humour. Not only is it a brilliant comedy, it's a great action and mystery flick too. The pairing of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost works as well here as it did in Shaun of the Dead, and there's a great supporting cast in Jim Broadbent, Paddy Considine and the rest, including those blink and you'll miss it cameos.
Whilst I work for a large urban police force, there are a lot of areas of policing I recognise in this film, which for me makes it even funnier watching it back. From having to bring cake (bribes) in for colleagues, to the old school Vauxhall cars, office banter and the more onerous side of policing, they really have done their research. Although I can safely say I've never met an officer quite as dedicated as Angel! But I do reckon a lot of our new recruits have the same view of policing as Danny does...
Such an entertaining film that doesn't get old.
Steve Fearon (84 KP) rated The Boy (2016) in Movies
Sep 16, 2018
The boy done...ok actually
When me and the missus first saw a trailer for this movie, we actually laughed.
It seemed so old fashioned, with a Goofy premise that just seemed out of place, more at home in a Vincent Price flick.
However, there was budget behind this film, strong casting and performances and a good patient build towards a big finish that was pretty effective.
This is very much an old premise, and as mentioned before, is pretty much an update of an old theme and had the casting and writing fallen short, it would have not been much more than another straight to dvd movie.
However the lead actors are sincere enough, and the cinematography eye-catching enough that you can stick with it, as it builds towards the scares and climaxes.
Give it a go if you are caught short on things to watch, it's not a high octane thriller, it's not a scare a minute, but it is a good story well told and not a bad way to spend an evening.
It seemed so old fashioned, with a Goofy premise that just seemed out of place, more at home in a Vincent Price flick.
However, there was budget behind this film, strong casting and performances and a good patient build towards a big finish that was pretty effective.
This is very much an old premise, and as mentioned before, is pretty much an update of an old theme and had the casting and writing fallen short, it would have not been much more than another straight to dvd movie.
However the lead actors are sincere enough, and the cinematography eye-catching enough that you can stick with it, as it builds towards the scares and climaxes.
Give it a go if you are caught short on things to watch, it's not a high octane thriller, it's not a scare a minute, but it is a good story well told and not a bad way to spend an evening.
Daniel Boyd (1066 KP) rated Damnation - Season 1 in TV
Sep 20, 2018
Performances all round are pretty great (1 more)
Set design and costumes are really cool
Well, I'll Be Damned
I read the synopsis for Damnation when it was first released and it didn't grab me at all. A show about a farmer's strike just sounded extremely boring to me. Then I saw the trailer and decided to give the show a chance and I'm glad I did.
The show moves at a decent pace and tells the story of two brothers both masquerading as something they are not. The way that the show develops is interesting and keeps you hooked until the end of the season.
Unfortunately it was recently announced that Netflix aren't going ahead with a second season of the show, which is really disappointing considering the way that Season 1 ended and I would have loved to have seen where this show would go in the future.
The show could always be picked up by someone else and we could still see this story continue, but until then we have at least 1 season of solid television that is well worth checking out.
The show moves at a decent pace and tells the story of two brothers both masquerading as something they are not. The way that the show develops is interesting and keeps you hooked until the end of the season.
Unfortunately it was recently announced that Netflix aren't going ahead with a second season of the show, which is really disappointing considering the way that Season 1 ended and I would have loved to have seen where this show would go in the future.
The show could always be picked up by someone else and we could still see this story continue, but until then we have at least 1 season of solid television that is well worth checking out.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Sucker Punch (2011) in Movies
Sep 20, 2018
All style, no substance
Apologies in advance to all of the male Smashbombers, but this film basically feels like a teenage boy’s fantasy. I saw it when it first came out at the cinema and wasn’t impressed in the slightest, but I thought I’d give it another go in case I was wrong. Unfortunately I wasn’t.
Girls wearing barely anything, mental asylums, brothels, monsters, war zones, robots, dragons, zombies.... did nobody stop to think that this was maybe a bit too much? Zack Snyder has compared this to Alice in Wonderland, but it is far from it. The plot could’ve worked better if it had just stuck to a girl resorting to a inner fantasy world to escape reality in a mental asylum, but instead it just gets far too ridiculous and silly. Visually it looks very good, although I don’t think the CGI looks quite as good on the small screen as you’d hope, and the soundtrack is great, it’s just a shame the rest of the film is so dull and laughably bad. You’ve got some great actors in here (even a brief cameo from Jon Hamm) but they really are wasted in this.
Girls wearing barely anything, mental asylums, brothels, monsters, war zones, robots, dragons, zombies.... did nobody stop to think that this was maybe a bit too much? Zack Snyder has compared this to Alice in Wonderland, but it is far from it. The plot could’ve worked better if it had just stuck to a girl resorting to a inner fantasy world to escape reality in a mental asylum, but instead it just gets far too ridiculous and silly. Visually it looks very good, although I don’t think the CGI looks quite as good on the small screen as you’d hope, and the soundtrack is great, it’s just a shame the rest of the film is so dull and laughably bad. You’ve got some great actors in here (even a brief cameo from Jon Hamm) but they really are wasted in this.